Image: Still from The Sixties Scoop: A Hidden Generation - Official Trailer

The ‘Sixties Scoop” is the term used to describe Canadian child welfare policies where Indigenous babies, children and youth were ‘adopted out’ of their families, communities and Nations and placed in non-Indigenous households. The Sixties Scoop era began in the 1960’s and ended in the 1980’s — but the majority of children were ‘scooped’ during the first decade the policies were implemented. An estimated 16,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families as a result of Sixties Scoop.

Posted February 2016

STORY LINKS

ahiddengeneration.com – This website gives info about the Scoop and raised funds for a documentary called “A Hidden Generation”. It also has a page of resources for Indigenous adoptees.

“Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child” (29:10) – This short documentary is a moving tribute to Richard Cardinal, a Métis adolescent who committed suicide in 1984. Taken from his home at the age of 4 due to family problems, he spent the rest of his 17 short years moving in and out of 28 foster homes, group homes and shelters in Alberta. A sensitive, articulate young man, Richard Cardinal left behind a diary upon which this film is based. (Full length NFB Film)